Recent Comments by Ufez Jones

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

I hope my excitement will appear once the games actually start but I'm really starting to dread the run up to the Cup.

posted by Ufez Jones at 02:27 PM on December 05, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 14: The Eagles Have Landed

My picks:

Lions by 3
Seahawks by 17 (lock)
Bengals by 3
Browns by 6
Commanders by 7
Jets by 4
Buccaneers by 19 (lock)
Jaguars by 6
Ravens by 5
Broncos by 11 (lock)
Bears by 8
Rams by 12 (lock)
Chiefs by 6
Chargers by 5

My winning a week may be the biggest upset of all.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:29 PM on December 04, 2025

NBA Pickem Week 7: NBA on NBC

My picks:

Knicks by 4
Thunder by 17 (slam dunk)

posted by Ufez Jones at 03:29 PM on December 02, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 13: Trippin' on Tryptophan

Revised picks:

49ers by 4
Jaguars by 10 (lock)
Colts by 18 (lock)
Dolphins by 5
Jets by 7
Buccaneers by 13 (lock)
Rams by 8
Seahawks by 10 (lock)
Bills by 6
Chargers by 12 (lock)
Broncos by 14 (lock)
Patriots by 19 (lock)

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:46 AM on November 30, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 13: Trippin' on Tryptophan

My picks:

Lions by 7
Chiefs by 6
Bengals by 4
Eagles by 11

posted by Ufez Jones at 12:33 AM on November 27, 2025

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

In my mind we mark the occasion by watching old Justin Blackmon highlights and then finding a karaoke spot to do a rousing rendition of (Denton's own) Slobberbone's "Some New Town".

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:44 PM on November 26, 2025

NBA Pickem Week 6: Turkey Eve Tripleheader

My picks:

Magic by 4
Lakers by 8
Pistons by 11 (slam dunk)
Thunder by 19 (slam dunk)
Rockets by 12 (slam dunk)

posted by Ufez Jones at 10:54 AM on November 25, 2025

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

Take it easy and heal up well, NoMich. Glad things sound like they're going smoothly.

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:52 PM on November 23, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 12: War of Attrition

Revised picks:

Bears by 3
Patriots by 10
Lions by 17 (lock)
Packers by 6
Seahawks by 18 (lock)
Chiefs by 6
Jets by 3
Raiders by 5
Cardinals by 6
Eagles by 13
Saints by 3
49ers by 8

posted by Ufez Jones at 12:16 PM on November 23, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 12: War of Attrition

My picks:

Bills by 10 (lock)

posted by Ufez Jones at 04:21 PM on November 20, 2025

NBA Pickem Week 5: Don't Call Me Angel Reese

My picks:

Rockets by 4
Knicks by 7
Cavaliers by 12 (slam dunk)
Rockets by 3

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:22 PM on November 19, 2025

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

You know, they often say that Stillwater is the Las Vegas of Oklahoma...

I'm sure Pete would love a taste of the rural life.

posted by Ufez Jones at 09:47 AM on November 19, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 11: Mighty Minnows

My picks:

Dolphins by 5
Panthers by 3
Bills by 3
Titans by 3
Vikings by 6
Packers by 7
Steelers by 3
Chargers by 10
Seahawks by 3
49ers by 7
Ravens by 3
Broncos by 4
Lions by 3
Cowboys by 10

posted by Ufez Jones at 08:44 AM on November 16, 2025

NBA Pickem Week 4: Fired Nico

My picks:

Knicks by 9 (slam dunk)
Thunder by 7
Knicks by 5
Spurs by 13 (slam dunk)

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:37 AM on November 12, 2025

The Dallas Mavericks are firing GM Nico Harrison.

I have the Amazon streaming package that lets you see the arena instead of commercials and am watching more regular season games than before. I kinda took Luka for granted before the playoffs.

As fun as Luka's on-court play can be, I miss watching him goof around with trick shots during the warm-up lines via the arena view on League Pass just as much. *sigh*

I told myself I was going to quit the team after Nico destroyed it.

But even if they didn't land Cooper Flagg I probably would have kept following them because the disaster was so interesting.

I've been putting off any definition of my Mavs fandom and I still really don't know where it's going to land. I guess that's one advantage of living out of market - you at least get to avoid the whole "go to the game or no" conundrum.

But as much as I enjoyed the Rangers WS win, it also solidified the fact that my personal sports fandom peaked with the 2011 Mavs run and anything else is going to pale in comparison. It was perfect, 10/10, no notes, thank you sports deities for that. And that's okay! It's honestly kind of great! There's a ton of folks, maybe the majority even, who are lifelong diehard fans of a team that never get to experience that feeling, I'm not going to complain that I'll never get to experience it the same way again (publicly, anyways). I'm an "old habits die hard" kind of person and loyal to a fault and keep watching the games, but even if I were to reclaim full MFFLdom, it won't ever be the same. It can't.

posted by Ufez Jones at 02:55 PM on November 11, 2025

The Dallas Mavericks are firing GM Nico Harrison.

Extend the timeline by six months and you can add a trip to the Finals into the chaoscoaster. The whiplash is real.

It's still going to be a while (I hope, anyways) until anyone challenges the City of Oakland for the title of Screwed-Over Sports Fans, though. It won't be easy and I have basically zero faith in the ownership to do it properly, but this is at least theoretically recoverable.

posted by Ufez Jones at 12:37 PM on November 11, 2025

The Dallas Mavericks are firing GM Nico Harrison.

That game went perfectly: the Mavs blew a big lead in the 4th but 18 year-old Coop looked composed and confident and then the AAC emptied out to chants of "Fire Nico".

And now they are!

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:15 AM on November 11, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 10: War of Attrition

My picks:

Colts by 9 (lock)
Giants by 6
Bills by 15 (lock)
Vikings by 7
Browns by 4
Buccaneers by 8
Panthers by 8 (lock)
Jaguars by 4
Seahawks by 12 (lock)
Rams by 6
Lions by 15 (lock)
Chargers by 10
Eagles by 6

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:20 PM on November 07, 2025

NBA Pickem Week 3: I Wish I Was a Baller

My picks:

Knicks by 9 (slam dunk)
Spurs by 6
Spurs by 5
Nuggets by 8

posted by Ufez Jones at 04:43 PM on November 05, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 9: Torn Labrum Fractured Shoulder Socket

My picks:

Dolphins by 3
Bengals by 7
Lions by 10 (lock)
Packers by 8 (lock)
Chargers by 13 (lock)
Patriots by 9 (lock)
Giants by 6
Colts by 10 (lock)
Broncos by 8
Raiders by 3
Rams by 13 (lock)
Chiefs by 7
Seahawks by 14 (lock)
Cowboys by 6

posted by Ufez Jones at 10:42 AM on October 30, 2025

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

Speaking of Turnstile and recent releases, give the Citric Dummies' "Split With Turnstile" a listen next time you feel like putting your brain in a Punk n' Roll blender for twenty minutes.

Turnstile themselves are in no way involved (as far as I can tell), but I've been listening to it at least once a day since it came out. It's great.

posted by Ufez Jones at 03:45 PM on October 29, 2025

NBA Pickem Week 2: I Wish I Was a Little Bit Taller

My picks:

Cavaliers by 9
Timberwolves by 3
76ers by 8 (slam dunk)
Grizzlies by 11 (slam dunk)

Sure hope everyone is excited for the Luka and Lebron-less Lakers vs. the Ant-Less Timberwolves.

posted by Ufez Jones at 03:40 PM on October 29, 2025

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

That Wednesday album is really fun, NoMich. It falls during a very busy time workwise, but I'm hoping to make their StL show this Spring.

posted by Ufez Jones at 04:53 PM on October 28, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 8: Miami Blues

My picks:

Chargers by 4
Falcons by 8
Bengals by 6
Patriots by 9 (lock)
Eagles by 7
Bills by 9
Bears by 4
49ers by 9
Buccaneers by 14 (lock)
Broncos by 8
Colts by 24 (lock)
Packers by 5
Chiefs by 17 (lock)

posted by Ufez Jones at 03:49 PM on October 23, 2025

Enter the SportsFilter NBA Pickem

My picks:

Thunder by 9
Warriors by 7
Cavaliers by 6
Mavericks by 7
Thunder by 16 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 6
Knicks by 11 (slam dunk)
Timberwolves by 9
Pistons by 8
Timberwolves by 6

I'M VERY GLAD THE NBA IS BACK!!!

posted by Ufez Jones at 03:41 PM on October 21, 2025

Enter the SportsFilter NBA Pickem

I think skipping them the same as the NBATV games makes sense.

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:00 PM on October 20, 2025

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

Fire the coach -- Okie State still awful (and likely to be for a little while)

posted by Ufez Jones at 08:10 PM on October 19, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 7: Don't Sleep on Seattle

Revised picks:

Bears by 6
Browns by 3
Patriots by 6
Chiefs by 17 (lock)
Eagles by 8
Jets by 4
Broncos by 13 (lock)
Colts by 5
Cowboys by 6
Packers by 6
49ers by 3
Buccaneers by 3
Seahawks by 10

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:48 AM on October 19, 2025

The Greatest MLB Playoff Performance Ever

Good Lord, that's impressive.

As easy as it is to get into Busch these days it's a bit shameful I haven't seen Shohei live. I'm gonna have to make a point to catch the Dodgers when they swing through town next year.

posted by Ufez Jones at 12:21 PM on October 18, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 7: Don't Sleep on Seattle

If nothing else, I learned my lesson from blowing locks on two stupid consecutive Thursday games. Leaves a bitter taste in your mouth for a couple of days until the rest of the league starts.

posted by Ufez Jones at 02:03 PM on October 17, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 7: Don't Sleep on Seattle

My picks:

Steelers by 8

posted by Ufez Jones at 08:01 PM on October 16, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 6: Get Up, Trevor, Get Up

The answer the question "Did SpoFi collectively learn anything from the Week 5 fiasco?" appears to be a resounding "lol, nah".

posted by Ufez Jones at 07:21 PM on October 10, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 6: Get Up, Trevor, Get Up

My picks:

Eagles by 10 (lock)
Broncos by 13 (lock)
Colts by 13 (lock)
Chargers by 9
Patriots by 5
Steelers by 8
Cowboys by 11
Jaguars by 6
Rams by 9
Raiders by 4
Packers by 9
Buccaneers by 7
Lions by 4
Bills by 14
Commanders by 9

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:23 PM on October 09, 2025

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

Lots and lots of blown locks in the Pick 'Em this week, myself included.

I feel kinda sheepish admitting it because of reasons, but I'm finding myself pretty caught up in Baker Mayfield's season. I'm not going to go so far as to say I'm *rooting* for the Bucs (yet), but he's become must-watch football every weekend.

posted by Ufez Jones at 12:30 PM on October 07, 2025

'What a legend': Hockey world reacts as McDavid signs astonishing contract with Oilers

Having watched the Oilers eliminate the Stars each of the past two seasons, barf.

Great for Edmonton and their fans, though.

posted by Ufez Jones at 04:39 PM on October 06, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 5: Keep My Name Out of Your Mouth

My picks:

Rams by 14 (lock)
Vikings by 10 (lock)
Colts by 17 (lock)
Giants by 12
Cowboys by 7
Eagles by 13 (lock)
Dolphins by 6
Ravens by 7
Cardinals by 10 (lock)
Buccaneers by 3
Lions by 19 (lock)
Chargers by 4
Bills by 21 (lock)
Chiefs by 17 (lock)

Is Tampa Bay at Seattle the tastiest match-up this week? Give yourself an extra cookie tonight if you had that one on your preseason predictions.

posted by Ufez Jones at 04:58 PM on October 02, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 4: Out Like a Lamb

Revised picks:

Chargers by 9
Texans by 6
Falcons by 7
Bills by 15 (lock)
Buccaneers by 4
Lions by 19 (lock)
Panthers by 3
Rams by 6
49ers by 6
Ravens by 6
Raiders by 10
Packers by 14 (lock)
Jets by 4
Broncos by 9 (lock)

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:13 AM on September 28, 2025

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

September 25, 2000, at the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Vince Carter leapfrogs 7'2" Frederic Weis and unleashes the Dunk of Death. (YouTube)

posted by Ufez Jones at 09:17 PM on September 25, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 4: Out Like a Lamb

My picks:

Cardinals by 6

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:00 PM on September 25, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 3: Travis Kelce is Mad as Hell and is Not Going to Take It Anymore

My picks:

Bills by 17 (lock)
Packers by 14 (lock)
Colts by 10
Bengals by 4
Steelers by 5
Eagles by 9
Buccaneers by 13 (lock)
Commanders by 7
Falcons by 8
Texans by 6
Chargers by 4
Seahawks by 7
Cowboys by 6
Cardinals by 7
Chiefs by 10
Ravens by 6

posted by Ufez Jones at 05:22 PM on September 17, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 2: Wake Up, Al!

Revised picks:

Bengals by 6
Cowboys by 11 (lock)
Lions by 14 (lock)
Rams by 7
Dolphins by 8
49ers by 9
Bills by 11 (lock)
Steelers by 9
Ravens by 19 (lock)
Broncos by 4
Cardinals by 8
Eagles by 6
Vikings by 3
Texans by 6
Chargers by 9

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:00 AM on September 14, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 2: Wake Up, Al!

My picks:

Commanders by 4

posted by Ufez Jones at 07:26 PM on September 11, 2025

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

I can only imagine how many fights broke out within the groups of Bills fans who left early. Sitting there in their car listening to the radio call, just getting sick to their stomachs that they made the wrong decision.

Incredible game.

posted by Ufez Jones at 10:07 AM on September 08, 2025

Play SportsFilter's NFL Pickem

My picks:

Eagles by 19 (lock)
Chargers by 4
Falcons by 6
Bengals by 9 (lock)
Colts by 4
Patriots by 3
Cardinals by 8 (lock)
Jets by 3
Commanders by 14 (lock)
Jaguars by 5
Broncos by 11 (lock)
Seahawks by 3
Lions by 6
Texans by 7
Bills by 3
Vikings by 6

posted by Ufez Jones at 02:42 PM on September 03, 2025

Cowboys Trade Micah Parsons to Packers

Irsay bought the Colts in '97. In the time since then, they've appeared in 2 Super Bowls (winning one) and 4 AFC Championship Games (winning two, losing two to Tom Brady).

The Cowboys in that same time frame: N/A

My friends that are lifelong Cowboys are pushing 50 and were in high school during the Triplets' run. Nobody under the age of 40 has any meaningful memories of successful Cowboys football. Nobody under the age of 30 was even alive at the time.

Jerry runs a very successful business, and they're admittedly entertaining to gawk at, but good lord he's awful at football.

posted by Ufez Jones at 02:18 PM on August 29, 2025

Cowboys Trade Micah Parsons to Packers

"F you Dallas" - Owners of Dallas Professional Sports Teams

posted by Ufez Jones at 08:03 PM on August 28, 2025

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

Italian sports photographer Ray Giubilo caught an amazing shot of Jasmine Paolini at the US Open yesterday:

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:21 PM on August 27, 2025

THE ROAD TO COOPERSTOWN PODCAST

My guess is probably not, but does Wade discuss the legendary 107-beer flight?

posted by Ufez Jones at 07:17 PM on August 26, 2025

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

This is one of those things we'll probably never really know, but I'm curious if the drafting and promising Summer League performance of Yang Hansen played any role in the negotiations.

posted by Ufez Jones at 08:21 PM on August 13, 2025

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

Paul doesn't do the reputation of the middle-aged pothead scene any favors.

posted by Ufez Jones at 12:53 PM on July 05, 2025

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

Wemby's been working on his long-range game this Summer, seems to be working. Sheesh.

posted by Ufez Jones at 10:40 AM on June 30, 2025

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

Answering my own question: looks like 2009 was the last time there wasn't a UK player drafted in the first round.

posted by Ufez Jones at 03:09 PM on June 26, 2025

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

I found it somewhat interesting that not only were there no Kentucky Wildcats taken in the first round, I don't recall even hearing the word "Kentucky" spoken last night.

They had two in the top ten last year, so maybe it's just a one-off thing related to the coaching transition, but that has to be a pretty rare occurrence.

posted by Ufez Jones at 02:49 PM on June 26, 2025

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

And Kristaps is now a Hawk.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:39 PM on June 25, 2025

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

Oh, even without Coop the Mavs would still be in a much better position than quite a few other teams are in right now. Any grousing from fans should be firmly directed at ownership/management, which is a whole different thing entirely, and I don't know that the current group will ever (or should ever) regain the level of trust they had just six months ago.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:29 PM on June 25, 2025

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

Also, as a kid that was in middle school in Tulsa during the peak of Jordan mania, it's *suuuuuper* weird that the Larry O'Brien rightfully belongs to Oklahoma for the next year.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:36 PM on June 23, 2025

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

A disturbing trend via r/nba: In the 33-year period from 1990-2023, 45 NBA players suffered torn achilles injuries, a rate of 1.36 per season.

This playoffs saw Hali, Tatum, and Dame Lillard.

The regular season included Dejounte Murray, Isaiah Jackson, Dru Smith, and James Wiseman

There was also one (Da'Ron Holmes) during Summer League.

Any talk of Asterisks is silly and can be rightfully ignored, but the What-Ifs will echo for quite a while, I'm sure.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:33 PM on June 23, 2025

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

I can't watch Holmgren any more. He doesn't want to be there. He was strictly an onlooker last night. If he doesn't show up on Sunday, OKC is going to have to figure something out.

He gets bodied by more physical big men and it has a tendency to take him out of the game. I'm honestly not sure there's a solution, either. When he's hitting his threes he's still a very valuable player, but if nothing else, this run has probably made next Summer's inevitable J-Dub vs. Chet decision much easier.

I'm *really* looking forward to Sunday. It should be a fun chess match.

posted by Ufez Jones at 07:19 PM on June 20, 2025

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

Rockies sitting around going "Hey! What the hell, man?"

posted by Ufez Jones at 04:24 PM on June 16, 2025

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

No, yeah, I'm with you and all, it'd just be a little easier if it weren't the team the Stars had just lost to in the conference finals for the second year in a row.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:00 PM on June 06, 2025